Speaking of good things coming out of SoundForth, I recently received a choral demo from them featuring the music of David Rasbach.
First, and add it to your choral collection. It is excellent. It is only $6. It is professionally recorded, features the Bob Jones Academy Chorale (which Rasbach directs, and whose sounds is better than almost any adult choir I’ve heard), and is one of the best chorale recordings I know of. This is no “demo” recording; this is a God-glorifying, uplifting, enriching CD. Other than the superb choral sound, what I like about this is that it is simply and beautifully accompanied only by piano. In my opinion, sometimes “immodest” orchestrations can get in the way of the message, but not with this one.
Next, order some of this music for your church. It’s certainly challenging stuff, but my opinion is that most choirs can do almost anything if they put the effort into it. I’ve proven that with a 16 voice, amateur church choir, and I’ve heard of similar choirs performing Messiah. Just don’t demand that the choir sing every service, and put work into some really fine music like this.
I have permission to post audio of these pieces here. So here are the 6 pieces on the recording, along with links to the octavos:
How Can I Keep From Singing?
Audio | Octavo
Sing, O My Heart
Audio | Octavo
It is Good to Sing Your Praises
Audio | Octavo
A Place of Quiet Rest
Audio | Octavo
Prince of Peace, Control My Will
Audio | Octavo
About Scott Aniol
Scott Aniol is the founder and Executive Director of Religious Affections Ministries. He is director of doctoral worship studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he teaches courses in ministry, worship, hymnology, aesthetics, culture, and philosophy. He is the author of Worship in Song: A Biblical Approach to Music and Worship, Sound Worship: A Guide to Making Musical Choices in a Noisy World, and By the Waters of Babylon: Worship in a Post-Christian Culture, and speaks around the country in churches and conferences. He is an elder in his church in Fort Worth, TX where he resides with his wife and four children. Views posted here are his own and not necessarily those of his employer.
